In recent times, there have been multiple deaths and major injuries to people working on grass banks. Between 2022-2023, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported 21 fatal injuries to workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry, making it the most dangerous industry in the country.

These injuries often come down to mowing equipment not being appropriate for the task at hand. Which is exactly the issue this local authority was up against. Luckily, none of their incidents had turned into injuries, but if something wasn’t done soon, it was only a matter of time until they did.

Mowers were slipping sideways on slopes, sliding down banks and into trees, and sometimes running off into streams.

But they’ve now more than turned the situation around. Not only have they almost eliminated incidents and removed the need to cut high-risk areas, but they’ve also boosted biodiversity in the area for good measure.

The problem: the equipment didn’t meet the grade

This Local Authority decided to completely review how they maintained grass in the area, starting with banks and slopes. They had a generic risk assessment which identified who was working on the banks, but didn’t give any detail on location, or the specific equipment needed for the tasks.

They needed a site-specific risk assessment that would cover off all those areas, so they weren’t using the wrong equipment in the wrong location.

The solution: a colour-coded mapping system

They split the process into several phases:

1. Created a Geographic Information System (GIS) map of all the grassed areas the council cuts.
2. Checked machinery and manufacturer handbooks, and worked out the maximum angle of work for each make and model. They then colour coded each mower, which identified the max gradient it should be used on.
3. Used a digital inclinometer to measure the gradients of all the banks and slopes in the area that needed to be cut.
4. Transferred the data onto the GIS map, colour coding each slope to indicate its gradient.
5. Trained staff on the new colour coding system.

Removing unnecessary risks. Boosting biodiversity.

The Parks Department, with the help of the Health and Safety team went back to basics and asked why some areas were cut at all. After all, the best control method is to eliminate risks all together. So they set a new rule that any steep bank in excess of 30 degrees wouldn’t be cut with ‘pedestrian’ equipment.

If these slopes had to be cut, they’d only do so if they could reach the area with a tractor with the flail or a flail that was remote controlled. It both eliminated the risk to employees and created new wildlife habitats, rejuvenating biodiversity around the city.

Getting everyone trained and kitted up

The Grass teams were given toolbox talks on the new risk assessments and cutting strategy. Each team was also given a van pack for the city, including the colour coded cutting area maps that they could refer to at the start of each day.

These packs would indicate the areas to be cut and what should be left alone. They’d also help the teams to select the equipment needed for the day.

The key take away: it’s all in the planning

Because of the nature of the equipment, grass maintenance at such a scale is inherently dangerous. However, grass cutting safety doesn’t have to be rocket science – this local authority proves it’s all in the planning and good execution.

Get the full mowing case study

If you want more details around their process and how they cut their mowing problem down to size, you can download the full case study here.

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